Welcome from the International Programs Office

Welcome! The University of St. Francis (USF) is a small private Catholic Franciscan university located in a beautiful historic suburban neighborhood about 35 miles southwest of Chicago – just a short train ride away! The small size of the University of St. Francis provides international students with an opportunity to be fully immersed in university culture and receive personal attention in their academic studies that isn’t always possible at larger universities.

USF promotes inclusion of all students, regardless of their citizenship, ethnicity, or religion. USF will assist all international students in achieving their educational goals and overcoming the challenges of studying and living in a foreign country.

USF’s International Programs Office (IPO) staff helps international students apply to USF and obtain an F-1 visa to study in the USA. The IPO also offers a wide variety of support services to international students including advising, F-1 visa counseling, English language support, and international and cultural events.